Now that the Canon 40D is on the shelves $1200US, Nikon D300 announced ~$1700US, Sony 700, and a new flagship Olympus coming mid October, what speculation is there concerning the next incarnation of the Nikon D80 and Canon 400Xti? I would love to own a D300 or 40D but with a decent lens both are well above my budget. Will the D80 continue or will the D40x be the only available sub-D300 Nikon? How will Canon top the 400 Xti? It seems unlikely it will go to 12mp, since the 40D is 10mp, live view? Just how will a new entry level Canon be improved and remain differentiated from the 40D?

As to the Nikon-story it is rumoured that the D80 will get a successor in a D80x type of model perhaps with the same 12MP sensor. Anyhow, the D40x will certainly not be the only avenue below the D300. Nikon has to cover more prive points below 1500/1600€!

Hi Japhy, the entry-level and slightly up from entry-level DSLR products are still the big sellers, so don't expect them to go away!

I fully expect to see a D80 and a 400D / XTi successor next year.

So we can start speculating now!

I agree it's unlikely either would go beyond 10 mpixels, so it'll be a case of 'feature-itis'! They'll almost certainly both have Live View and anti-dust, and it'll be interesting to see if Nikon up-sells with a VGA screen, but these parts are pricey...

Beyond Live View though, I'm not sure what else they can really add. Canon will probably bundle its new 18-55mm with IS, so Nikon will need to do a new 18-55mm (or 18-70mm) with VR.

Interesting take. currently the Nikon D80 is available $725US, Canon 40D for $1200US. £550 is about $1125 this week and probably about $1200 next week the way the $US is headed. I would hope to see a combination of IS lens and body for under $1000. If that were to sell alongside the 40D either the 40D is upgraded to 12mp, or the newer model will not feature much of an upgrade in sensor / processing technology over the 400XTi. Nikon will have more latitude with the pricing considering the price differential between the D40x and the recently announced D300. While all the latest features are certainly great, if I had my choice I would forgo many and opt for the high – end sensor / processor combination and a better lens. It all seems so reminiscent of the Japanese auto market .. like no leather seats without the sunroof and neither are available on the base model.